It was an old-fashioned throw down, a battle royal even, in what might have been a run of the mill allowance race on a lazy afternoon. Instead three of the best older Minnesota-bred horses in training met today in the third race under a hot summer sun. The race attracted a crowd along the walking ring fence with many others, including track announcer Paul Allen and Star Tribune handicapper Jay Lietzau, visiting the paddock for a closer look as the competitors were being saddled. The distance of the race was one mile. A fair test for one of the top sprinters Mr. Jagermeister and comfortable for accomplished two-turn runners like Drop of Golden Sun and Dame Plata. The other two open company entrants went overlooked in the wagering as money came in heavily on Mr. Jagermeister who was 4 to 5 in the wagering.
From the starting gate Drop of Golden Sun and Alonso Quinonez quickly jumped to the front but then settled into second just outside the favorite when Mr. Jagermeister assumed control into the first turn and continued on with moderate fractions up the backstretch. Meanwhile in fourth, four lengths back, sat Dame Plata with 2020 leading rider Ry Eikleberry waiting patiently and saving ground on the rail. They moved past 20 to 1 Dynamic Ruler into third as the field approached the far turn. Dame Plata, who had been beaten soundly in the six furlong 10,000 Lakes by both Mr. Jagermeister and Drop of Golden Sun on May 19, was 4 to 1.
Mr. Jagermeister drifted slightly coming out of the turn taking Drop of Golden Sun with him as Dame Plata, encouraged by Eikleberry, pushed through on the inside. Of the two, only Drop of Golden Sun went on with Dame Plata. Mr. Jagermeister faded, eventually finishing last. There was no catching Eikleberry as he and Dame Plata extended their lead, winning by 1 ¼ lengths and paying $10.40 to his believers. Drop of Golden Sun held second and longshot Beat the Heat ran on for third.
Co-owner of Dame Plata, Ann Sachdev, on hand to celebrate, could not have been smiling any wider. Trainer Francisco Bravo, looking quite pleased as well, had predicted a better outcome this time with the longer distance.
Track Record in Nightcap
Chess Master set a track record in the final race Sunday at About 5 furlongs on the turf covering that distance in 54.83 seconds, beating the time of 55.12 seconds set by El Seventyseven in 2013.
Pick 6 Carryover Tuesday
There were no perfect tickets in the Pick 6 Sunday leading to carryover of $2,591 on Tuesday’s program. Racing begins at 5:10 pm with the 10% takeout Pick 6 beginning in race 3 at 6:10pm.
